The story is being told by the now old Victor Way. At present he has been chewed by a grizzly bear and is stranded in a cabin in the wilderness with no supplies. While waiting for spring and his wounds to heal, he is reliving his first trip to the untamed west. He knew nothing of survival as he had been in an orphanage until age 14. The year is 1879 when he meets Charlie a shady man, who is in the business of fulfilling jobs in Wyoming. He has no problem lying to find people to sign his contract to fill jobs for mining, cowboys, school teachers and especially whores to keep the single men happy and working. Vick signs a contract along with four whores and a school teacher. Vick befriends an overweight man, Oliver, and decides to be his keeper. Little does he know, he himself will need Oliver to save him time and time again. Oliver keeps to himself as he feels no one likes him. He knows more than he lets on and has his own money. Oliver never forgets Vick for being the only person to ever care for him and will spend the rest of his life hoping to keep him alive. Miss Shelly is a fun loving gal and knows nothing but being a whore. She truly enjoys her life and is afraid she could loose life as she knows it. She has her eye on the innocent Vick. Miss Kelly has been let down by her husband and left him only taking her horse and one eyed dog. The only job available was being a whore. She does her job with a six shooter and takes guff from anyone. Miss Janice is elusive and just goes along doing what is handed her and asks no questions even if she knows it is wrong. No one really knows what is in her heart and she doesn't want to talk about her past. Miss Ella just likes money and swindles men out of all she can put her hands on. Jenny has an education and is the good girl of the bunch, but as life goes all her good intentions don't pan out. She trusts and loves everyone she meets and gives all she has to her friends. She and Vick share a big surprise. Walter is a big fun player and without him the gang would be obligated entirely to Charlie. He has just what they need to lead them down the path of freedom from Charlie. As they travel across Wyoming horse back and in covered wagons they encounter many hard times but manage to make life long friends with one another.